I never gave Lummi Island much thought before I saw that it was one of the 10 restaurants that the New York Times listed as “worth a plane ride for” in 2011. Sure, I’d seen Lummi Island on sign posts on drives between Vancouver and Seattle, and I knew that it was an inside joke …
“The event” to be at this year at the El Saber del Sabor Festival, according to anyone I talked to, was the dinner held at Origen restaurant on Dec 1st, 2014. Chef Rodolfo Castellanos hosted Pablo Salas of Amaranta restaurant in Toluca, Mexico and Alex Stupak from Empellón in NYC. Chef Alex Stupak has been on …
After my day with Chef Alejandro Ruiz last year, I wasn’t sure what type of adventure I could organize that would top it. I had a few things I had wanted to do while I was in Oaxaca, and I emailed Alejandro to try to arrange something, but he was in the midst of some …
People poo poo Facebook. But nowadays, it’s the way I’m most connected to what’s going on in the things I’m interested in. I have followed Alinea & Next through Facebook for a while, and when I secured my reservation at Alinea, I started following the Aviary as well. It’s because of this that I learned …
When I made my food itinerary for Japan, it wasn’t with Michelin stars in mind. I’ve eaten a lot of great food in Japan, but on this trip, I wanted to experience the “best” sushi, tempura, yakitori and kaiseki to see if what people considered the best, tasted that much better than very good or …
Over a year ago, I took my parents to see the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi. It was fantastic documentary filled with gorgeous food imagery that immediately inspired me to seek a similar sushi experience in Tokyo. I’ve been fortunate enough to eat some great sushi throughout my life but after watching the movie, I …
Imagine if you could spend not just an hour, but a whole day with an expert in the one thing in life you’re most passionate about. Imagine also that you can work alongside them and feel like you could ask them any question and that you’d get an answer to it. That, in a nutshell …
When I booked Barcelona, I already had a reservation to Tickets. And with confirmation in hand, I started immersing myself in Ferran Adria once again. Never did I allow myself to think that Ferran, or even his brother Albert for that matter would be in the building for my meal. We had the 7pm seating, …
It’s been 3 years since I was last in Vegas. It’s not a place I dream about, but with enough time between visits, it’s a place I’m excited to return to. My Vegas isn’t like most people’s. I don’t gamble, don’t come for the shows, and in my past few trips I haven’t even gone … Continue reading
When I started planning my trip to Japan this year, I had no specific plans in mind of extravagant Michelin starred dining. While I was interested in experiencing another starred sushi experience in Tokyo, I couldn’t find a hotel concierge who was willing to help me make reservations, and seeing that’s how it’s usually done … Continue reading
After seeing the masses of tourists on my first day in Kyoto, I realized I would have to quickly change my plans if I was going to find the moments of zen I was looking for during my few solo days in Japan. I had planned on visiting some temples in Kyoto and going to … Continue reading
Kyoto, in my mind, is a magical city. Since I was a child, I remember visiting Kyoto and being awed by its beautiful temples and gardens and of course being wooed by its wonderful food. I visit Kyoto each time I’m in Japan, yet I feel I have only scratched the surface of it. My … Continue reading
I’m back in Japan for what I always think of, in my mind, as my roots trips. It’s funny though, because for as many times as I’ve been to Japan in my life, each trip always starts with a certain amount of anxiety amidst my anticipation for awesomeness. Perhaps it’s because of my basic understanding … Continue reading
I have come to love the slow and easy pace of my annual week in Oaxaca, but towards the end of each trip, in order for me to accomplish all that I want to do when I’m there, I have to push a bit to fit it all in. Luckily this year, on my last … Continue reading
Every so often when I travel, I eat a meal that plays with my palate and pushes my mind in such a way that I leave the meal with feelings of regret because I know I’d only scratched the surface of the talents of the cook/chef. There are restaurants, little hole in the walls, market … Continue reading
